Scientists have confirmed that the pathogen that causes Lyme Disease�unlike any other known organism�can exist without iron, a metal that all other life needs to make proteins and enzymes. Instead of iron, the bacteria substitute manganese to make an essential enzyme, thus eluding immune system defenses that protect the body by starving pathogens of iron.
To cause disease, Borrelia burgdorferi requires unusually high levels of manganese, scientists at Johns Hopkins University (JHU), Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI), and the University of Texas reported.
Their study, published March 22, 2013, in the Journal of Biological Chemistry, may explain some mysteries about why Lyme Disease is slow-growing and hard to detect and treat.
The findings also open the door to search for new therapies to thwart the bacterium by targeting manganese.
Posted by Lymebulldog (Member # 35068) on :
This is superb info! Thanks for finding and posting it, rks!
Best to you! Lymebulldog
Posted by TestyTommy (Member # 35790) on :
That is really interesting. Probably explains why Lymies are usually Mn deficient.
Posted by lululymemom (Member # 26405) on :
Very good information! Good to see there is progress being made!
Posted by D Bergy (Member # 9984) on :
So now it is Manganese? I know sometime in the past it was called a Bacteria that used Magnesium. Two very different Minerals. So which is it?
Dan
Posted by Pony (Member # 32559) on :
Manganese
Posted by D Bergy (Member # 9984) on :
I would guess if you are actively killing the bacteria then the metals it accumulates would be released also.
Dan
Posted by rks (Member # 24316) on :
You're welcome Bulldog. Hope they find a therapy from it. Take care all . . .